Cheese Merchants Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Cheese Merchants in the United States is $51. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $106,461. Salaries at Cheese Merchants typically range from $45 to $58 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Cheese Merchants

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Is Cheese Merchants’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Cheese Merchants's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Pearson's Candy Co $51
-0.9%
Indicates identical technical requirements and experience levels between the two firms.
Goodier Cosmetics LLC $47
-7.5%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like Goodier Cosmetics LLC.
Athea Laboratories Inc $47
-7.3%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where Athea Laboratories Inc primarily operates.
Rolco Inc $51
-1.1%
Suggests Rolco Inc utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model.
MFG Nondurable Industry $61
+17.4%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Cheese Merchants

Considering a career at Cheese Merchants? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Shift schedules vary and sometimes cause fatigue. It’s fine for steady work without much variation. Safety is emphasized, but innovation seems limited. Customer satisfaction is a top priority throughout production. Overtime is occasionally required, affecting personal time.
Even when the workload is high, the team pulls together. A great example of how manufacturing should be managed at this scale. Collaborative culture encourages problem-solving and innovation. Clear chain of command. The company's commitment to sustainable practices and community involvement adds deeper meaning to our work. Tasks are repeated often and executed with efficiency.
The focus on lean manufacturing principles eliminates wasteful practices while improving working conditions. If you like a quiet, professional environment without a lot of chatter, this place works. It’s easier now to resolve issues quickly and ensure that production stays on track. Good benefits and a stable work environment are also major positives. Opportunities for overtime are consistent.

Cheese Merchants Overview

Website
www.cheesemerchants.com
Founded In
1998
Employees
100 - 200 employees
Industry
MFG Nondurable
Headquarter Address
1301 Schiferl Rd Bartlett Illinois IL 60103
Revenue
$50 Million - $200 Million
Phone Number
+1 6302210580
Social Media
About Cheese Merchants
Since 1998, Cheese Merchants of America has been providing imported and domestic premium and specialty cheeses to the foodservice, industrial/manufacturing, and retail industries. The company's headquarters is in Bartlett, Illinois.

What Benefits Does Cheese Merchants Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Cheese Merchants offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Chicago?

Understanding the cost of living near Chicago is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Cheese Merchants.
Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). Major US city, housing varies greatly by neighborhood but can be high, extensive CTA transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Cheese Merchants, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,700 - $2,600+ A significant portion of Cheese Merchants salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $105 (CTA 30-day pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $640 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,225 - $5,025+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Cheese Merchants

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Cheese Merchants?

The typical salary range for most roles at Cheese Merchants is approximately from $45 to $58 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does Cheese Merchants pay compared to Pearson's Candy Co?

The average annual salary at Cheese Merchants is $106,461, or an hourly wage of $51, in comparison to Pearson's Candy Co which pays $105,459 per year or $51 per hour.

3. Do salaries differ significantly between departments at Cheese Merchants?

Yes, salaries often differ between departments at Cheese Merchants due to varying market demand for specific skill sets and the nature of the roles. For example, technical roles in Engineering or IT may command different salary ranges compared to roles in Marketing or Human Resources.

4. How does experience level affect salary at Cheese Merchants?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Cheese Merchants, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

5. How can I determine if a salary offer from Cheese Merchants in Chicago is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Cheese Merchants in Chicago is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Cheese Merchants and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Chicago" to understand its purchasing power.

6. What factors influence salary increases at Cheese Merchants?

Salary increases at Cheese Merchants are likely influenced by a combination of factors, including: individual employee performance against set goals, overall company performance and profitability, budget availability, changes in the market rate for similar roles (market adjustments), and sometimes cost-of-living increases.